The well: Isura

[Keyser.]

Do you only play on Party? How are the SSNL/MSNL games there?

[Isura]

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Wow, I'm off to bed now but :

How long have you been playing ? ( Brief Story pls)
Whats your current style & Current Level ?
Lifetime Graph pls...

Thanks in advance...

Vava

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Story (copied from blog)
"I discovered poker in the summer of 2004 when I visited Las Vegas on a vacation. I did not play a single hand of poker on that trip, but was fascinated by this game I saw being played at every casino there. Upon my return home, I searched around the web about this game they called texas holdem. I ordered some books (5 at once!) and furiously began studying the game. Soon I discovered the site twoplustwo and learned much from the discussion there.

I built up my initial deposit of $100 into $4000 in about 6 months of playing limit holdem. At that time, I decided I wanted a change and began playing no-limit single table tournaments (aka SNGs). Playing SNGs forced me to really learn the math behind holdem. However, SNGs are fairly mechanical once the basics are mastered. So in September of 2005 I wondered into no-limit cash games. I played the Party Poker $100 buyin tables, but failed to record a significant profit in 4 months time. I realized that I didn't quite "get" no-limit holdem. So in January of 2006 I decided to jump down to the $25 buyin game and regroup. I tried to be patient, and worked very hard to improve my game. With perseverance and a bit of luck, I was playing the $400 buyin game by June of 2006. At this time, I hired my first poker coach. In retrospect, this was one of the most important decisions of my poker career. My coach, a seasoned player at the mid stakes games, instilled in me the correct thought process and attitude needed to beat the bigger games.

I did not play much poker after September because of a busy schedule at graduate school. In January of 2007 I returned to poker with a fresh outlook. I played the $400 buyin game again, but soon found that the $600 and $1000 buyin games were not much harder. I also hired my second poker coach around this time, and he has helped me even more than my first coach. This brings us to the present day. $400-$1000 buyin no-limit is currently my regular game (I jump around a lot in search of good games). In April I took a leave of absence from graduate school to pursue poker and some other business ventures."

I play a mixed style, but mostly lag. About 28/22 at 6-max, and 20/15 at FR (probably tighter than optimal for FR). I play mostly 2/4 to 5/10, with random shots at 10/20 or MTTs!

[Isura]

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What are/were your stats at 200NL?

What do you think optimal stats at 200NL are?

What is your UTG ranging range at that limit?

What percent does that equate to (checking PT)?

Thanks

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I used to play 20/15 last year at 1/2. Not when I drop back I play looser, around 28/22 or 35/20 when I feel like gambling.

Optimal is hard to quantify. But I think about 22/15 works well in today's aggressive games for most players.

I love pairs, AK/AQ, and suited connectors. Also suited suited aces and AJ/KQ/KJ are good hands at 6-max.

I have no idea. You could just use pokerstove to figure it out (about 0.5% for each pair, 1% for offsuit cards etc)

[Worm75]

coaches that you recommend??

[Gelford]

Am I making poker to difficult by focusing too much on dynamics and trying to manipulate my opponents ranges instead of just playing 2+2 vanilla tag ?

[LetsHugItOut]

What qualities should I look for in a poker coach?
What are the most effective/helpful activities to do with coaches?
Thanks.

[Isura]

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nice. i think we had an ask isura one a long time ago but this one is official.

favorite live poker experience? (ie. favorite hand, playing vs. a well known pro, etc).

favorite post in 2p2 (and link of course)?

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Would have to be playing on the feature table at the main event this year. Playing with Hellmuth during the feature table was pretty fun, but we didn't play any interesting hands together. Also, I pulled a sick bluff in a 2/5 game at Venetian this summer.Stacks were around 1200 I think. I flopped a set on a monotone flop, got raised. Put the guy on a flush, but high 4th flush card came on turn. Check/check and I shove river and get him off medium flush.

Wow, this is really tough. I have so many.. This one is pretty good. If nothing else, read what Ray Zee and RBK have to say.

http://archiveserver.twoplustwo.com/.../1#Post3639095

Also, this has links to more great high stakes threads.

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...p;vc=1&nt=2

[Isura]

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could you turn me into the next imran khan?

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Nice ninja edit. I bowl spin, so probably not.

[Isura]

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How many tables do you play? How many tables have you played before and how/why has that number changed over time?

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6-max I play between 2 and 6. Usually around 4 though. Heads up I play 2 and sometimes 3 if its against the same person. I used to play as many as 9 without a hud at party 1/2 and 2/4 last year. But I find I'm more profitable by playing less.

[Capone]

Hey Isura,

How did your vegas trip go? How did you do in the main event? I notice you haven't been writing in your blog on a regluar basis. Im looking forward to your next vid btw.

Whats your take on 3 betting light pf, and semi-bluff raising?